variants
also skunk
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stings
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skunks
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
In addition, there’s the risk of secondary toxicity if a mole is eaten by a bird of prey or other predator including foxes and skunks.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
But toads and frogs are also prey animals for owls, hawks, skunks, opossums, and raccoons.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Baby skunks, known as kittens, are born in May and June.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The critters who drop in or call the space home range from monarch butterflies, ladybugs and lizards to hummingbirds and bushtits, skunks, opossums and even the occasional mountain lion.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has recorded 38 winter cases over the last five years, with the vast majority found in skunks.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
In addition, there’s the risk of secondary toxicity if a mole is eaten by a bird of prey or other predator including foxes and skunks.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
But toads and frogs are also prey animals for owls, hawks, skunks, opossums, and raccoons.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Baby skunks, known as kittens, are born in May and June.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The critters who drop in or call the space home range from monarch butterflies, ladybugs and lizards to hummingbirds and bushtits, skunks, opossums and even the occasional mountain lion.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
The virus has also proved fatal to foxes and skunks in Kansas that likely ate something infected, Hesting said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunks
Noun
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The introduction of rats, dogs, cats and stoats, as well as hunting by people and destruction of native forest habitats, drove species of the country’s flourishing flightless birds — the kakapo among them — to near or complete extinction.—
Charlotte Graham-McLay,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Before moving to the two-story structure’s exterior stairs, SWAT officers encountered two barking dogs.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Page Six gets a Hollywood edition Papps declined last week to reveal what stories his reporters were chasing and what bombs the political columnists will throw in its first editions.—
Christopher Weber,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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If Venezuela and its region instead spiral into chaos and suffering, Trump will merely look like a bully, a president who cowers when facing the mighty — in Moscow or Beijing, say — but bombs those who can’t return fire, whether in Nigeria, Yemen or Venezuela.—
Andreas Kluth,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From basic fraud claims and partnership disputes to the more esoteric involving combustion turbines, citrus canker or automobile line recalls or land use development issues, Waldman masters the material and, time and again, has delivered big-time results for his clients.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Stylist Chrissy Rasmussen masters the layered medium-length look on clients.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That still stings 30 years later.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
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For the show’s devoted fanbase, the loss stings — but there’s no shortage of series ready to fill the void.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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South Carroll defeats Rising Sun in the Class 1A final during the 2026 MPSSAA Dual Wrestling State Championships at North Point High School on Saturday, Feb 14.—
Brian T. Krista,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2026
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If New England defeats the Seattle Seahawks, Vrabel will become the first person to ever win a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach for the same franchise.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
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That was so, so, so touching, going to a real hospital with the clowns.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunks. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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